passive building design

Building design that uses non-energized design features to make a building
more climate responsive and energy economical. It typically involves a variety
of integrated strategies which take into account such factors as climate
conditions throughout the year, the position of the sun (azimuth and altitude)
at different times of the day and in different seasons, prevailing wind
direction and speed, seasonal humidity, and average combined temperature.

Among many ways to achieve energy savings through passive design, are:

Aligning the long side of rectangular-shaped buildings in an east-west
direction

Using a simple house design that minimizes the area of perimeter walls

Placing living spaces and areas that are the most frequently occupied
during daylight hours, to the south